INFORMATION
Disclaimer: The World Ends with You belongs to Jupiter and Square Enix.
Synopsis: Joshua knows that he will never be as skilled an artist as Neku. Yet, he continues to ask Hanekoma for painting lessons because, after, surpassing his partner in artist abilities isn't his goal at all.
Pairing: Hanekoma/Joshua
Picture Perfect
Joshua acknowledged that he was not an artist in terms of visual masterpieces. While Neku was able to create countless breathtaking sketches and elaborate graffiti, Joshua was criticized for his stick figure having disproportional limbs. Drawing and painting had never been his forte; he much preferred to observe and appreciate the intricate works rather than creating them. A pen never felt precise in his hand for anything other than writing neat kanji characters onto simple white paper.
That was why it felt so awkward when he held the paint brush in his pale hand with the liquid color loaded onto the fibers. He sat cross-legged on the chilly, newspaper-lined tile floor of the small kitchen before the blank canvas and only continued to stare at the emptiness with the paintbrush in his hand. For the longest time, Joshua only fixated his eyes onto the white abyss until rough, calloused fingers cupped his knuckles.
He did not jump or tense up, he already knew Hanekoma was going to come and check on him anytime soon. Instead, Joshua began to relax his paintbrush hand, allowing Hanekoma to tighten his hold as he eased both their hands forward. Joshua allowed the man to control the movement of the paintbrush and light, beautifully perfect strokes were born, erasing the canvas of its nakedness. After the first bit of color had depleted, Hanekoma brought Joshua's hand and the paintbrush back into the can of paint for more color. It was then that Joshua sighed, released all his selfish need for control and leaned his head back into the safe comfort of Hanekoma's chest. Everything united: the painter, the mediums, the canvass.
Then, Hanekoma's free hand found its way around Joshua's waist, pulling him even closer to his warmth and slightly away from the developing portrait before them. Joshua could feel the older man's stubble chin digging lightly into the crook of his neck. The unique scent of Hanekoma's cologne filled the boy's nose and he couldn't help but smile—not his usual smirk, but a genuine, soft smile.
Joshua didn't need to surpass Neku Sakuraba; that wasn't the intent. The arms that were wrapped around his waist and the warmness of Mr. Hanekoma's body near him were what Joshua was truly after. He didn't need to be Katsushika Hokusai* to win, because Hanekoma was all that he desired. The time he spent with that barista was more beautiful than any famous painting.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
It's quite short, I know, but I hope you enjoyed it anyway :)
* Katsushika Hokusai is a famous Japanese artist.